Fragrances and asthma/allergies

Posted by Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor @jenniferhunter, Nov 24, 2018

I wanted to increase awareness about the dangers of fragrances to those of us with breathing difficulties, and those who are affected by fragrances that are all around us. In my own home, I use cleaning products without fragrances and run a HEPA filter with activated carbon that absorbs chemicals from the air so my home is a safe place to breathe. We built a home with building products that didn't have formaldehyde and without carpet because it triggers my asthma. Going out in public is a problem because I'll be bombarded with all kinds of chemicals. My lungs react quickly and I've started carrying a respirator so when I'm in the car and pass something that bothers me, I can get the respirator on to try to avoid problems. I did use the respirator at a play holding it over my face with a cloth over it so no one could see what it was and it worked, and I put it away after the lights came back on. There were people right near me with heavy fragrances that would have caused an asthma attack. As I understand this, it is the chemicals that help distribute the fragrances that are the big offenders... things like phalates. While traveling this weekend, I was happy to see a sign at a rest area that the soap in the washroom was fragrance free because of allergies to fragrances. That is a step in the right direction. It's my hope that people reading this might consider not wearing personal fragrances in public. Workers in health care often do this to help their patients. I hope that sometime in the future, there is some kind of regulation in the fragrance industry. Ingredients are not disclosed and those of us who are affected can have serious reactions. This is a medical problem. I thank those people who are fragrance free in support of those who are like me.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Asthma & Allergy Support Group.

bubbie2 | @bubbie2 | Jun 8 7:07am

In reply to @leefinney "At work, I have offered essential oils for cleaning after reacting to what was in the..." + (show)

Fanuloso is a trigger for me and I've heard others say the same.

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jun 2 6:52pm

In reply to @crystalena "I live 7 miles from the city of Gaylord, Michigan. I don’t get the dryer vents..." + (show)

@crystalena Awe! Sweet kitty! I have a very small one who is like a little gymnast who has never gained an extra ounce. I don’t know how. I guess she only eats what she needs. I’m still working on getting all the cats to get along as 2 of them were adopted separately in the last year and I’m going slowly. They do bring me a lot of joy. The newest also brought me a friendship with her foster mom and we stay in touch.

crystalena | @crystalena | Jun 2 3:50pm

I live 7 miles from the city of Gaylord, Michigan. I don’t get the dryer vents or the lawn treatments, cigarette smoke. I have neighbors , but each one has a few acres . However we have the smoke from the north. The sun came up orange today. I can’t see the haze but air quality is at about 50%. Doors and windows closed for sure . You rescue cats . I love that ! I have a 5 lb rescue here . She needed a home and I had no idea how much I needed her !! Blessed Be, Crystalina

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jun 2 3:05pm

In reply to @crystalena "It is very irritating to me when the very space I need to access is permeated..." + (show)

@crystalena you are right about dryer vents. When I take a walk, I smell it and also cigarette smoke from neighbors. Lawn chemicals are a problem and sometimes I just have to stay inside. Now we have wildfire smoke over our area from a thousand miles away and I have had to stay inside. I am very reactive with asthma.

crystalena | @crystalena | Jun 2 11:19am

In reply to @jenniferhunter "@colleenyoung Thanks! I didn't know that discussion was there, and it is a good one. I've..." + (show)

It is very irritating to me when the very space I need to access is permeated with fragrance. Strong scents always were unpleasant to me . Now I have to move away from a person wearing such. I had an interview at my home with a prospective home cleaning person. My nose and throat burned . I developed a headache . I cut the interview short. I can’t imagine living in the suburbs with all the dryer vents emitting the aromas of the fabric softeners .

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jun 2 10:23am

In reply to @leefinney "Yes." + (show)

I have more problems with manufactured fragrances, too, @leefinney. What did you learn about lung effects from products like the mopping/cleaning solution they were using in your office?

leefinney | @leefinney | Jun 2 9:42am

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @leefinney - so, do you react more to manufactured fragrances?" + (show)

Yes.

sbcher | @sbcher | Jun 2 8:35am

Some good information here. Thank you.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | May 27 4:41pm

In reply to @leefinney "At work, I have offered essential oils for cleaning after reacting to what was in the..." + (show)

Hi, @leefinney - so, do you react more to manufactured fragrances?

leefinney | @leefinney | May 26 9:41am

At work, I have offered essential oils for cleaning after reacting to what was in the mop bucket!
Staff was using purple Fabuloso.
After researching I asked them to stop for everyone’s lungs.
Research safe cleaning products with essential oils. I’m also going to eliminate those bathroom sprays by mixing up essential oil solutions into spray bottles.

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